Luck Surface Area

I spent the first two years of my undergraduate education in a Nigerian university. During that time, I was determined to secure as many scholarships as possible. My main goals were to increase my access to scholarship opportunities and surround myself with like-minded individuals who were also pursuing scholarships. In 2008, I was fortunate enough to be one of five people in my circle who received scholarships from organisations such as Agip and Shell.

In 2013/14, I relocated from Kazan to Moscow, and eventually ended up at MIT. Although some may attribute my journey to luck, I believe that preparation played a significant role. Two individuals from my network also moved to Moscow with me that year, and ten more joined us on our way to MIT. One of these connections ultimately referred me for a job at Yandex, several years later.

Place luck — maybe this might be a change of city for you or even something as banal as changing your choice of residential area.

People luck — cultivate the habit of surrounding yourself with the right people to improve your luck. What actions can you take this week to spend time with individuals who bring positivity and enrichment to your life?

Awareness luck — take time to understand and appreciate yourself. Believe in your own uniqueness and the blessings in your life. You are one of one.